Miller, who'd play peek-a-boo with Chloe and call her Mary. She lay there, ankle throbbing, tears burning her eyes as she peered into the basement, with its creaks and smells and shadows. “Chloe Saunders, you have five seconds or I'll drag you down here and lock the door.”Ĭhloe raced down the steps so fast her feet tangled and she tumbled into a heap on the landing. The back of her throat hurt and everything looked fuzzy, like she was going to cry. You're a big girl.”Ĭhloe made her feet move down one step. “I c-can't go in the basement,” Chloe called. “Chloe, I know you can hear me,” Emily yelled.Ĭhloe peeled her fingers from the railing and stuck them in her ears.

“Say the word and the sign goes up.” Daddy ruffled Chloe's hair. That door stays closed.” When Daddy came around the corner, Mommy said, “We really need to talk about moving, Steve.” Has she rescued poor Aladdin from the evil genie yet?”Ĭhloe shook her head, then whispered, “Did you tell Emily about the basement?” “I see you're playing with Princess-I mean, Pirate Jasmine. Mommy had called, and Chloe had run into the front hall where Mommy had scooped her up in a hug, laughing when Chloe's doll poked her eye. Before Mommy and Daddy left for the party, she'd been playing in the TV room. Mommy said she'd told Emily about the basement. “Your mom said the Coke's in the cold cellar, but I can't find it. “Chloe?” Emily's muffled voice drifted up from the dark basement. Even her breath shook, puffing like she'd been running.

Her legs shook, too, the Scooby Doo heads on her slippers bobbing. MOMMY FORGOT TO WARN the new babysitter about the basement.Ĭhloe teetered on the top step, chubby hands reaching up to clutch both railings, her arms shaking so much she could barely hang on.

Kelley armstrong the summoning series